5 week old chicks and brooder plate question

[DobieLover]

It's been in the 30s and snowing on and off here still, and looks like it's not going to hit above 40 for the next week. I wouldn't feel comfortable having them outside yet.

They will be just fine. As long as they have a coop with dry bedding that is sheltered from direct drafts. You have to remember that these birds generate a lot of body heat and can fluff their feathers to trap it. They are not humans.

They will thrive in the fresh air and will do much better once acclimated to a normal circadian rhythm. Their first night outside, they will complain as night falls but they will adjust quickly. They will also stay huddled up in a corner on the floor of the coop until they learn to roost as they have no adult birds to teach them.

 

[sniksnak]

My girls are 4 weeks old. I’m in north Louisiana and took out my heating plate last week. They are doing fine, though they are still in the great room. They’ve had two excursions outdoors to date. I place 3 at a time in a chicken ball. They love it and walk and forage all over the back yard. Haddie, my little Chiweenie, loves to babysit them.

 

[yakitori]

It's been in the 30s and snowing on and off here still, and looks like it's not going to hit above 40 for the next week. I wouldn't feel comfortable having them outside yet.

the nervousness is understandable. I also kept mine indoors for 6 weeks the first time. I don’t know how i did it. just thinking about all the dust makes me shudder, hahaha. Now I throw them out as soon as the weather is above freezing (mainly for the waterer) and they are mostly feathered, lol.